Combination radioreceiver and timepiece



June 18, 1935. A. MCL, NICOLSON 2,005,158

COMBINATION RADIORECEIVER AND TIMEPIECE Filed Oct. 18, 1930 2Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY June 18, 1935. A, c cc s 2,005,158

COMBINATION RADIORECEIVER AND TIMEPIECE Filed Oct. 18, 1939 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR A/exander M LMH fY/to/son.

ATTORNEY Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES COMBINATION RADIORECEIVEREPIECE TIM Alexander McLean Nicolson, New York, N. Y., as-

signor to Communication Patentalncu New York, N. Y., a corporation ofDelaware Application October 18, 1930, Serial No. 489,571

8Claims.

This invention relates to the electrical transmission of signals,certain of which are used for the adjustment of a clock or time piece.

An object of the invention is to combine radio receiving apparatus witha time piece to accomplish the setting and adjustment of the time pieceby electrical signals.

Another object of the invention is to utilize the diaphragm of a radiospeaker as a visual clock face to function as the tuning indicia of aradio receiver and the time dial.

A further object of the invention is to accomplish the adjustment of theclock through the operation of the radio apparatus automatically.

At the present time certain radio broadcast stations transmit atperiodic intervals impulses having a definite time sequence, theimpulses being initiated at a definite interval such as at hour or halfhour periods. The present invention utilizes these impulses foradjusting the mechanism of a time piece which may slightly lead or lagthe correct time. The radio receiver is the usual type of radio receiverwhich may function for the reception of the usual radio broadcastprograms being received on a loud speaker of the usual type employing aconical actuating diaphragm. This diaphragm serves a triple purposeinasmuch as it serves to propagate the sound rays to the listener, itcarries the station indicia to facilitate the tuning of the receiver toparticular stations, and carries the clock face for the telling of thehour and minute. A fourth function is brought about by placing behindthe diaphragm a light source which may project the clock hands and theirindicia and the station indicia on the wall or ceiling at definiteintervals or whenever desired.

The invention contemplates in brief a mechanism for automatically tuningthe receiver to the time signal broadcasting station at the properperiods, and subsequently adjusting the clock mechanism to the correctindication by the time signals.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the radio and clock apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the radio receiver andtuning mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the speaker diaphragm showing the clock andstation indicia;

Fig. 4 is a front view of the tuning mechanism shown in Fig. 2; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are detailed sketches of a second method of adjusting theclock indicating elements.

Referring specifically to Figure 1, a time signal broadcasting station 5is shown with its transmitting antenna 6. This station sends out timesignals periodically and we may assume for purposes of description thatthe signals are initiated one minute before the hour or half hour. Letus also assume that ten impulses are sent out over the minute period atsix second intervals. How these impulses are utilized will be explainedafter the description of the receiving apparatus.

The receiving apparatus includes a receiving antenna 8 and the usualradio receiving set comprising radio .frequency amplifier 9, detector land audio frequency circuit II. To more clearly illustrate theassociation of the tuning system with the clock portion of the circuit,it is shown schematically at l2. The receiving apparatus is energizedfrom a rectifier l supplied with energy from the light socket leads I6and connected through a manual switch ll. The manual switch I! isparallelled by an automatic relay switch I8, the operation of which willbe explained hereinafter.

The output of the radio receiver is impressed upon an output transformer20, the primary of which is in series with a blocking condenser 2|. Inparallel with the transformer 20 is a relay 22 in series with a relayswitch 23. Relay 22 is normally disconnected from the output of theamplifier except at the period when the time impulses are beingreceived. The secondary of the transformer 20 feeds the voice coil of, aloud speaker 25, which may be of any type having a plane circular faceassociated therewith. This loud speaker has a tuning lever 26 shownconnected to the tuning condenser I2.

The clock mechanism may be either the usual spring wound or motor driventype of mechanism. The addition necessary for the present invention isthe provision of a notched wheel 28 containing ten notches which isdriven through friction from the drive of the clock hands. That is, thenotched wheel is positively connected to the clock hands, the hands, ofcourse, being frictionally driven from the driving mechanism. The relay22 has an armature 29 which contacts with the serrated portions of thenotched wheel and adjusts it in accordance with its position at the timethe impulse arrives. Connected with the notched wheel and the handdriving mechanism is a cam 30 having a notch therein 3|. Riding on thiscam is a follower 32 which, when reaching the notch 3| closes a contact34. The closing of contact 34 energizes three relays and one lamp orlight source simultaneously over a series circuit including the housesupply conductors.

A relay 36 is energized over the series circuit just named closing theswitch 23 and connecting the output of the radio receiver to the relay22. A relay 3! is energized, closing power switch I 8 and energizingrectifier IS in case the manual switch I1 is open. A relay 38 is alsoenergized,

this relay tuning the receiver to the time signal broadcast station incase the tuning is not for this particular station. In series with theserelays is a lamp 39 which is contained within the loud speaker diaphragmand illuminates the tuning and clock face indicia or projects thisindicia on a wall or ceiling. The lamp 39 may also be energized by amanual key 42 in case the time or tuning is to be viewed at anyintermediate time. A resistance 4| compensates for the exclusion of theresistance of the windings of relays 36, 31 and 38. In the presentschematic circuit an energizing circuit 43 is shown connected to thehouse leads and controllable by a manual switch 44. This circuit is theone which operates the clock mechanism in case of an electricallyoperated clock.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4', a set of gang condensers 45 is shownmounted on a shaft operable from a control disk 46. Connected to thecircumference of this disk is a rod 48 having thereon a hand knob 49which may be moved around the loud speaker diaphragm for the purpose ofadjusting the condensers. The loud speaker diaphragm face is shownmounted on the conical portion of the diaphragm, which in turn issupported from the driving unit 54 attached to the receiver casing. Anytype of mounted loud speaker may be employed, the tuning rod 48 beingcorrespondingly formed. 'A clock mechanism 56 may be mounted on thesupport 53 within the loud speaker diaphragm, the driving shafts for theclock hands 55 projecting therethrough. The lamp 39 of Fig. 1 is shownmounted within this'diaphragm enclosure.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the disk 46 is shown having two coiledextension springs 58 and 59 mounted around the circumference of the disk46 in a groove therein and adjusted to a normal position whichcorresponds to the broadcast frequency of the time station 5. Thisadjustment is accomplished by attaching the free ends of the springs tothe disk 46 where they neutralize one another. This neutralizing pointcorresponds with a position of the tuning condensers which permits thereception of the time signal station. A friction lever Si is held incontact with the disk 46 by means of a spring 62 so that any adjustmentsof the tuning condensers will remain fixed by the friction contactagainst the tension of the springs 58 and 59. The relay 33 whenenergized, releases the lever 6| from the disk and allows the springs toreturn the rotor of the tuning condensers to the position to receive thetime signal stations wave length.

In Fig. 3 a front view of the loud speaker is illustrated, showing thehands 55, the station tuning and clock dial indicia, and the manualtuning knob 49.

In Figs. 5 and 6 a divided relay 64 is shown, which is connected in thecircuit in the same position as relay 22 of Fig. 1. Mounted between thecores of the two sections of the relay is a wheel 65 composed ofinsulating material such as bakelite or hard rubber, and containingalong its circumference soft iron lugs or insertions 66. This wheel iscomparable to the notched wheel 28 of Fig. 1, and is positivelyconnected to the hands of the clock. It is obvious that if an impulse isplaced on the relay 64 when the nearest soft iron projection is notexactly between the two pole pieces, it will be lined up therewith by amagnetic field either D. C. or A. 0. formed therebetween. This movementadjusts the hands forward or backward, depending upon the inaccuracy of'the clocks running mechanism.

The operation of the system shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: Upon ourassumption that the signals are initiated one minute before the correcthour period, and one-half hour period, the cam 30 is adjusted to makecontact at least two minutes before any period. That is, in case themanual switch I! is not closed and the receiver inoperative, it willbecome energized by the actuation of the relay 31. Simultaneously relay36 will connect the output of the amplifier to the relay 22 which isnormally disconnected so as not to interfere with the impedance of theconnecting circuits between the loud speaker and the audio frequencyamplifier. Furthermore, the relay 38 permits the springs 58 and 59 totune the condenser l2 to the time signal station 5 in case the receiveris not so tuned. The light source 39 is also energized, bringing to viewthe indicia of the tuning system and clock dial in case of darkness.

Upon the reception of the first impulse in case the clock has lost time,the notch 61 will be retarded toward a vertical line through the centerof the wheel. That is, should the clock be perfect, the notch 61 will beat a position so that the movement of the armature 29 will not contacttherewith. In case the clock is slow, however, the armature 29 willcontact with the notch 61 and move it up forward. Assuming that theclock is fast and the wheel 61 has moved so no adjustment can occur,then the friction of the arm 29 against the outer part of the notch willretard the hand until the next notch is reached when the second impulsewill bring the wheel up to normal. The relay 22 has a slow release toaccomplish this function. Upon discontinuation of the impulses, thearmature 29 is out of contact with the notched wheel 28. At thecompletion of the ten impulses and the correct adjustment of the clock,the cam breaks the contact 34 and allows the circuit to return to thenormal position, as shown.

The magnetic adjustment feature shown in Figs. 5 and 6 may besubstituted for the relay 22 and the notched wheel 28, and is preferablethereto for full electrical operation. As shown in the drawings of Figs.5 and 6, only four lugs 66 are illustrated, but any number may be placedaround the periphery of the adjustment wheel as well as any number ofnotches in the notched wheel 28. For instance should ten impulses arrivein one minute, the wheel can make one revolution per minute, and containten lugs, as illustrated in Fig. 1 with the serrated wheel, or it maymake two revolutions per minute and contain five lugs. The correctingserrations or lugs are so positioned and geared to the clock handmechanism that the lag or lead is always less than one-half the distancebetween serrations or lugs- The above combination is advantageous tomaintain absolute constant time and to utilize a portion of thediaphragm of a loud speaker for carrying the tuning and clock indiciaboth of which function together to provide a radio receiving system anda clock adjusting system of extreme convenience. Should the impulses becharacterized by pleasant sounds such as gongs or chimes, they may bereceived simultaneously over the loud speaker, the'energy therefromoperating the relay 22.

Although the invention has been described with respect to its preferredembodiments, it is to be understood that there are equivalent systemswhich are contemplated to be within the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a radio receiver, a power supply therefor, tuning mechanism forsaid receiver, means for automatically tuning said receiver to aparticular station, means for controlling the time of said tuning, atime keeping mechanism, a loud speaker, and means for utilizing energyreceived from the output of said receiver for adjusting said timekeeping mechanism, a portion of said energy also operating said loudspeaker.

2. In combination, a time keeping mechanism including a serrated wheelconnected to a time indicating element, a rotating cam attached to saidserrated wheel, a radio receiver, tuning means for said receiver, andmeans associated with said cam for energizing and tuning said radioreceiver to a certain broadcast wave length for adjusting said serratedwheel.

3. In combination, a time keeping mechanism, a serrated wheel therefor,a rotating cam connected thereto, a relay operating on said serratedwheel at periodic intervals, a radio receiver having said relayconnected in the output thereof, means for energizing said receiver,means for tuning said receiver, and means associated with said cam foroperating said energizing means connecting said relay in the output ofsaid receiver, tuning said receiver, and illuminating the timeindication portion of said time keeping mechanism simultaneously. I

4. In combination, a radio receiver having a loud speaker connectedthereto, a time adjusting mechanism connected to said receiver, tuningindicia and time indicia on said loud speaker,

and a cam associated with said time mechanism for connecting said timeadjusting mechanism with said receiver and illuminating said tuning andtime indicia at periodic intervals, the energy for said time mechanismbeing supplied from said receiver.

5. In combination, a radio receiver for detecting a plurality ofdifferently modulated carrier waves at mutually exclusive intervals,means for tuning said receiver to receive each of said waves at mutuallyexclusive intervals, a loud speaker for reproducing the modulations ofsaid carrier waves, a time keeping mechanism within said speaker, tuningindicia and time indicia located on said speaker, means for adjustingsaid tuning means at predetermined intervals to a particular carrierwave, and means for simultaneously adjusting said time keeping mechanismand operating said loud speaker with the output current of saidreceiver.

6. In combination, a radio receiver for detecting a plurality ofdifierently modulated carrier waves at mutually exclusive intervals,tuning means for said receiver, a loud speaker for said receiver, a timekeeping mechanism associated with said receiver, said tuning means andtime keeping mechanism having indicators located on said loud speaker,means for illuminating said time indicator when said receiver isenergized, means associated with said time keeping mechanism forenergizing and tuning said receiver to a particular wave length atpredetermined intervals, and means for adjusting said time keepingmechanism and operating said speaker with the same output current fromsaid receiver.

7. In combination, a radio receiver for detecting a plurality ofdifferently modulated carrier waves at mutually exclusive intervals,means for tuning said receiver to receive each of said waves at mutuallyexclusive intervals, a loud speaker for reproducing the modulations ofsaid waves, a time keeping mechanism positioned at said speaker, tuningand time indicia on said speaker, means for adjusting said tuning means,said means being adjacent said tuning and time indicia, and means forsimultaneously adjusting said time keeping mechanism and operating saidspeaker with the same currents from said receiver.

8. In combination, a radio receiver for detecting a plurality of carrierwaves, a loud speaker for reproducing modulations of said waves, a clockpartially enclosed by the diaphragm of said speaker for tuning saidreceiver to a particular carrier wave, tuning and clock indicia on saidspeaker, means for energizing and deenergizing saidreceiver, means forilluminating said tuning and clock indicia when said receiver isenergized, means for tuning said receiver to each of said carrier wavesat mutually exclusive intervals from said tuning indicia, and means foradjusting said clock and operating said speaker with the same currentfrom said receiver initiated by corresponding received currents.

ALEXANDER MCLEAN NICOLSON.

